Have your say on Wiltshire bus fares

Commuters in Wiltshire have been urged to have their say about bus fares in the county, as part of a major consultation scheme from First Bus.

The company, which provides services across the county, as well as into Somerset and Bath, has announced a review of all its fares for the West of England outside of Bristol’s inner zone.

Kevin Gaskin, coordinator of the Corsham and Community Area Network, urged people in the region to have their say.

“This is an opportunity for passengers to register their concerns about the fare anomalies that affect Corsham,” he said.

“Fare comparisons with Chippenham, single journey fares and costs for children have all been highlighted as issues at different times.

“First Bus responded to the weight of opinion in an earlier review in Bristol with fare reductions and revised pricing structures, so it is worth taking the time to respond to the consultation.”

Under the banner ‘Fairer Fares for All’, commuters will be asked to fill paper or online questionnaires regarding their bus use, and sharing their opinions regarding the fares charged.

Questionnaires will be available on buses, in libraries, in council one-stop-shops and in First’s own travel shops.

A number of roadshows around the region are also being arranged, with details still to be confirmed.

Separate consultation events will also be organised for the region’s councillors and MPs.

Paul Matthews, Managing Director for First in West of England, said: “We need to better understand how people use our buses, how frequently they travel and for what purpose.

"We would also like to know what type of tickets they’re buying at present and how they rate them in terms of value for money.

“This is a mammoth task but it is an important one to enable us to provide the bus services that local people want.”

Brian Allinson, Chair of the West of England Joint Transport Executive Committee, said: “It is really important that as many people as possible take part in the consultation so we can be sure that people from more rural areas as well as villages, towns and edge of the city have their say.”

The online questionnaire will be found at www.firstgroup.com/fairerfaresforall from February 1, and the consultation will run from then until March 16.